http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...SPR5108V8O.DTL The Raiders really need a defensive end who can rush the passer from the left side, someone like Virginia's Chris Long or Ohio State's Vernon Gholston. They also could use a disruptive defensive tackle who can bottle up the holes in the run defense, like LSU's Glenn Dorsey or maybe USC's Sedrick Ellis. Come to think of it, it wouldn't hurt them to draft a franchise left tackle who can pass protect, like Michigan's Jake Long. With all these glaring needs, which college player has most caught the fancy of Raiders owner Al Davis? Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, of course, the most dashing, explosive, athletic prospect in the land. "I have heard Al Davis wants Darren McFadden and everybody's trying to swing him," draft icon Mel Kiper Jr. said. That won't be easy. Where Davis has a will, all others in the building do well to get out the way while the option is still voluntary. Two years ago, Davis blamed former coach Art Shell for drafting safety Michael Huff instead of quarterback Matt Leinart. Last season, he blamed unnamed members of the coaching staff for trading Randy Moss for draft-day change. This time, there will be no wondering who is responsible for the Raiders' first pick of the draft, which will be the fourth overall Saturday. Davis has made it clear he is in full control of football operations. Second-year coach Lane Kiffin has taken to calling Davis the team's "general manager," simply so there's no wondering. Whomever the Raiders end up drafting, all future credit (or blame) goes to the man atop the pyramid chart. "The way I understand Al Davis," NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock said, "is since the 1960s, it's pretty much been his decision 100 percent." That's why the majority of mock drafts have the Raiders selecting McFadden - Davis' idea of a dream player - despite their obvious needs in run defense and pass rushing. They don't seem to need another running back, but Davis loves McFadden's hyper-speed button. Oakland already has Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan and Michael Bush in the backfield, but Davis adores McFadden's getaway speed. The Raiders had the NFL's sixth-best running game last season, but can Davis truly resist the sight of McFadden on the board? "It's a great question," Mayock said. "I asked myself the same question 30 times. You're right about Al Davis. He is infatuated with speed." Kiffin repeatedly told reporters "running back is not really a need for us" when asked about McFadden at the NFL owner meetings last month. Kiffin repeatedly said the team really could use some help on the defensive line, so at least everyone knows where he stands on the issue. "Who knows what will happen?" said one league source with knowledge of the team's inner workings. "There's only one person who knows. We all know who makes that decision. Everyone else will see when we get there." As Raiders fans know by now, Davis has a thing for "the best available athlete." He craves playmakers who change games with undiluted skill and brilliant speed. When McFadden ran the 40 in 4.33 seconds at the NFL combine, he apparently rocketed up the Davis chart. McFadden does come with several carry-ons. In three years of college, he was involved in two nightclub altercations, fathered one child and is awaiting results from a second paternity test involving another woman. That has some team officials "nervous," according to one longtime team observer. Davis doesn't let nonfootball issues come between him and exceptional players. He didn't hesitate trading for Moss in 2005 or DeAngelo Hall this offseason. "I heard he fell in love with McFadden when he ran a 4.3 at the combine," Todd McShay of Scouts, Inc. said. "At the end of the day, he makes the pick, so what's it matter? We've all heard the war stories. They spend hours watching tapes, this and that, set up the board, he walks in and takes a player (who's) already crossed off." Consider that one of the perks of owning the keys to the team. McFadden, for one, was flattered by the attention Davis gave him in a recent visit to Alameda. "I'm just a guy from little ol' Arkansas meeting a legend like him," McFadden blogged. "That was great." It won't take long Saturday to see how deep the mutual feelings run. Anyone's guess A look at whom mock drafts have the Raiders picking with the No. 4 overall pick: Pundit Pick Mel Kiper, ESPN RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas Todd McShay, Scouts Inc McFadden Mike Mayock, NFL.com DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio St. Vic Carucci, NFL.com McFadden Pat Kirwan, NFL.com Gholston The Sports Xchange DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU Profootballtalk.com McFadden NFLdraftcountdown.com McFadden Draftinsiders.com McFadden Sporting News OT Ryan Clady, Boise State NFL Draft Scout McFadden Don Banks, SI.com McFadden Mike Lombardi, NFL Network Gholston
That crazy ass old man is going to keep us from getting the offensive playmaker and face of the franchise of which we so desperately need. I'm going to go cry now...
Thats good news imo let Crazy Al get his guy Maybe just maybe Chris Long could drop to us if St Louis goes Gholston KC would be our worry then
I'm still not convinced the raiders bite on him. if they do..they are idiots. Not that DMAC isnt a great player..but they already have 4 guys at RB...2 of which are still very young...and they have less than a million $ in cap space. Not a wise way to spend your money when your team has other needs and their maybe equally valuable players OF greater need at your draft spot.
Someone is getting cut, most likely our beloved LaMont Jordan. Fargas isn't a #1 back, Bush is a ? due to his leg injury. This kid is the pure athlete player, what else have we seen Al Davis pick?
Young, exciting, and consistently last. A veteran or two might push them over the top, but they have Al Davis running the show. I expect Kiffin gone by 13 games played if he has a record with 4 more losses than wins.
That old bunghole is slowly but surely taking our Franchise runningback right from under our noses...
I love McFadden as much as the next guy, but we are going to be getting a good player at #6 regardless. Matt Ryan, Darren McFadden, Vernon Gholston...they all have great potential.
